Video of Bobby Shea attacking Ty Rattie in the tunnel at Allstate Arena.
(credit to Wolfkeeper.org on YouTube for the videos)

The game also got out of hand at moments, originally stemming from Wolves’ tough guy Eric Selleck coming off the bench on a line change to engage with IceHogs’ rookie Pat Mullane, who had just been jousting with Ty Rattie.

But the “highlight” of the evening belonged to Bobby Shea. The first year pro is a defenseman on the IceHogs. He took a run at St. Louis Blues’ prospect Ty Rattie with 36 seconds to go in the middle period.

Shea led with a high elbow that struck Rattie in the head. Afterwards, as Rattie was chirping at Shea in response to that action, Shea dropped his gloves and proceeded to level Rattie with a series of unanswered punches. Its believed Rattie suffered a broken nose in that sequence – be it on the elbow or in the fight. Read more »

The Rockford IceHogs began the 2013-14 regular season on Saturday night with a porous performance in San Antonio, Texas.

A re-stocked group of young IceHogs led by now AHL veterans Brandon Pirri, Jeremy Morin and Dylan Olsen committed one careless turnover after another in route to a 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers minor league affiliate.

The loss was also costly in that the IceHogs lost two players to injury.

Annti Raanta left the game at the 5:36 mark of the first period. Raanta had taken an Eric Selleck 12-foot one-time attempt off the inside of his left knee at the 2:58 mark of the first. Raanta smothered Selleck’s shot, but crumpled to the ice in obvious discomfort, favoring his left leg. After consulting with IceHogs’ trainer D.J. Jones, Raanta opted to stay in the game. He would stop one more San Antonio shot before deciding he couldn’t continue and Kent Simpson entered the contest with 14:24 to go in the opening period. Read more »

[TTMI contributor Brad Vandenberk was on hand Thursday night for the Blackhawks-Maple Leafs prospect tournament game in London, Ontario and provides his personal account here.]

By Brad Vandenberk

Hockey season is upon us. Training camps are less than a week away from opening with exhibition games soon to follow. Before all that begins, it’s the prospect’s turn to showcase their talent in a tournament in London, Ontario that involved the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators.

Chicago’s first game was on Thursday night at the Budweiser Gardens against the “home” town Toronto Maple Leafs. The Gardens, which houses the CHL’s London Knights, was not nearly full for this affair, but Kane and Toews jerseys could be seen throughout the crowd.

Mac Carruth started between the pipes for the visiting Blackhawks. Dylan Olsen sported the “C” and Terry Broadhurst was wearing an “A”. Read more »

On Monday, the Chicago Blackhawks will open their annual summer prospect camp over at Johnny’s Ice House West on Madison Street west of the United Center.

Blackhawks draft picks such as Mark McNeill, Phillip Danault, Stephen Johns, Mac Carruth, Dillon Fournier and Carl Dahlstrom among others will draw most of the attention. However, filling out the practice groups and intra-squad scrimmages are a host of undrafted free agents from across the globe.

With 2012 first round pick Teuvo Teravainen skipping this year’s camp and 2013 first-rounder Ryan Hartman missing out while on the mend from a recent shoulder surgery, more opportunity for other less recognizable names and faces to leave an impression on Blackhawks management now exists.

In the past some of these camp invitees have gone on to earn contracts with the Blackhawks, Rockford IceHogs or other organizations in the NHL and AHL. This year’s crop is likely to be no different.

Today we’ll be profiling some of the more interesting names attending this year’s prospect camp under invitation.

JACKSON WHISTLE, 18 – Goaltender – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Perhaps the most intriguing name on the list of free agent invitees at this summer’s prospect camp is Kelowna Rockets goaltender Jackson Whistle. Read more »

There has been a shuffling of the deck on the Rockford IceHogs coaching staff after the team failed to qualify for the AHL postseason for the third consecutive season.

Following up on some speculation we heard back in early May regarding the Rockford IceHogs coaching staff, the Chicago Blackhawks official site has removed the listing and profiles of Ben Simon and Steve Poapst, both assistant coaches for the IceHogs this past season.

We can confirm independently both Simon and Poapst have been released by the Blackhawks and are seeking new employment.

Ted Dent’s profile, as well that of goaltending coach Andrew Allen, are still listed on the Blackhawks web site. Dent’s two-year contract expired with the conclusion of this season but it would appear he’s staying. Dent was present in Boston at the Cup deciding Game 6 and for the parade and championship rally in Chicago on June 28th.

At this point, there has been no official word from the Blackhawks on these releases or who will be replacing the coaching roles vacated by Steve Poapst and Ben Simon. Read more »